CHICAGO – With $50 million in funding available through the Connect Illinois broadband expansion program starting Dec. 1, 2020, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) urged small businesses and residents to see if they qualify for help with their internet.

“With more of our lives taking place online during the pandemic, reliable Internet access is more important than ever,” Villanueva said. “I encourage small business owners, students and all community members to take advantage of this opportunity to get connected.”

Funding for the Connect Illinois program is made possible through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program, which dedicates $420 million to broadband infrastructure. Individual projects can receive up to $5 million.

The application for this round of grants will remain open through March 2021. More information and applications can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.